Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge

In April, 2010, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) approved the preliminary project proposal for Hackmatack and will now move forward with conducting a feasibility study. The study is an important next step to making the refuge a reality and ultimately designating its boundaries. The study area includes portions of McHenry and Lake counties, in Illinois, and Walworth, Racine, and Kenosha counties, in Wisconsin. (Click here to view the USFWS press release.)

The proposed refuge seeks to preserve biologically significant natural communities and illustrates the potential for significant landscape-scale conservation that connects preserved lands in Illinois and Wisconsin. But Hackmatack would also expand opportunities for fishing, paddling, bird watching and other outdoor pursuits and promote a diverse and vibrant local economy for the region—this bi-state refuge would provide extensive recreation and education opportunities within a 90-minute drive of Chicago, Rockford, Milwaukee, and Madison. Private property rights of landowners within the potential refuge boundary will be respected—landowners retain all of the rights that exist under current zoning.

Openlands Policy Director and McHenry County resident Lenore Beyer-Clow has been instrumental in leading advocacy efforts for the refuge. Leading up to the announcement, Openlands and the Friends of Hackmatack spread the word through presentations to local governments and conservation groups, gathering resolutions of support for the project. Additionally, Openlands and Trust for Public Land commissioned a viability study from Fermata Inc. to determine the value of the proposed refuge to local communities and the expectations for increased recreational and economic gains and lend credence to a refuge designation in this region. Click on this link to download the report.

Openlands will continue to work with The Trust for Public Land and the local Friends of Hackmatack group to conduct outreach and gain ongoing support. We will also continue to coordinate efforts with the USFWS as they conduct the study. Click here to visit the USFWS Web page with preliminary information about the proposed Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge and the study. As the study gets underway, a schedule of activities will be posted here.